Around the Region, April 4

Published: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 7:15 p.m.

A disturbance Tuesday night led to a man being grazed in the head by a gunshot and the arrest of a suspect on an attempted murder charge, Gainesville Police Sgt. Joe Senn said.

Arrested was Dominic L. Gillins, 25, who was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to jail records.

The shooting occurred about 9:45 p.m. at 441 SE 15th St. Senn said several people were involved in a disturbance that may have started amid a dispute over a girlfriend.

Gillins is suspected of firing a shot, which grazed the victim’s head. The victim was treated at and released from the hospital.

Senn said Gillins fled the scene but later returned to turn himself in.

— Cindy Swirko

Gainesville man accused of stalking ex-girlfriend

A Gainesville man was arrested on an aggravated stalking charge Tuesday after his former girlfriend reported that she saw him slashing tires on her new car.

Charged was Jerald James Williams, 45, of 3111 NE 12th St., according to a Gainesville Police Department arrest report.

Williams’ former girlfriend told police she came out of her apartment and saw him by her car with a bladed object. Her four tires were flattened.

The report states she told police that six tires previously had been damaged. The woman also told police she had to change her phone number because of repeated calls from him and that Williams had been given a trespass warning from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, at which the woman works.

— Cindy Swirko

COMMUNITY

Campfire ban now in place in Ocala National Forest

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a temporary ban on campfires in the Ocala National Forest because of wildfire concerns during drought conditions.

Stove fires are allowed in devices commercially designed for cooking, such as propane cook stoves and above-the-ground pedestal grills, according a USDA Forest Service news release.

Fires placed directly on the ground, even for cooking purposes, are considered campfires and are prohibited.

Extreme drought conditions “mean fires start quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely,” the news release states. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

The ban is in effect until further notice.

— Staff report

Inaugural Jest for Laughs masquerade party Friday

Masked partiers for a cause will descend Friday night on downtown Gainesville for the inaugural Gainesville Jest for Laughs! Masquerade Party, benefitting the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, the Alachua County branch of the NAACP and the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry.

The party will kick off at 9 p.m. at Cellar 12, 12 SE Second Ave., and last until midnight, according to a news release from the event organizers.

Admission is $50, with the festivities including valet parking, door prizes, music by Jazz Bandits, a contest with prizes for the best costumes, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

For tickets or more information, visit the website masquerademerriment.org, call event organizers at 327-3400, visit the event’s Facebook page or send an e-mail to masquerademerriment@gmail.com.

<p>POLICE BEAT</p><p><b>Man jailed on charge of attempted murder</b></p><p>A disturbance Tuesday night led to a man being grazed in the head by a gunshot and the arrest of a suspect on an attempted murder charge, Gainesville Police Sgt. Joe Senn said.</p><p>Arrested was Dominic L. Gillins, 25, who was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to jail records.</p><p>The shooting occurred about 9:45 p.m. at 441 SE 15th St. Senn said several people were involved in a disturbance that may have started amid a dispute over a girlfriend.</p><p>Gillins is suspected of firing a shot, which grazed the victim's head. The victim was treated at and released from the hospital.</p><p>Senn said Gillins fled the scene but later returned to turn himself in.</p><p><I>— Cindy Swirko</i></p><p><b>Gainesville man accused of stalking ex-girlfriend</b></p><p>A Gainesville man was arrested on an aggravated stalking charge Tuesday after his former girlfriend reported that she saw him slashing tires on her new car.</p><p>Charged was Jerald James Williams, 45, of 3111 NE 12th St., according to a Gainesville Police Department arrest report.</p><p>Williams' former girlfriend told police she came out of her apartment and saw him by her car with a bladed object. Her four tires were flattened.</p><p>The report states she told police that six tires previously had been damaged. The woman also told police she had to change her phone number because of repeated calls from him and that Williams had been given a trespass warning from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, at which the woman works.</p><p><i>— Cindy Swirko</i></p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p><b>Campfire ban now in place in Ocala National Forest</b></p><p>The U.S. Forest Service has issued a temporary ban on campfires in the Ocala National Forest because of wildfire concerns during drought conditions.</p><p>Stove fires are allowed in devices commercially designed for cooking, such as propane cook stoves and above-the-ground pedestal grills, according a USDA Forest Service news release.</p><p>Fires placed directly on the ground, even for cooking purposes, are considered campfires and are prohibited.</p><p>Extreme drought conditions “mean fires start quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely,” the news release states. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.</p><p>The ban is in effect until further notice.</p><p><i>— Staff report</i></p><p><b>Inaugural Jest for Laughs masquerade party Friday</b></p><p>Masked partiers for a cause will descend Friday night on downtown Gainesville for the inaugural Gainesville Jest for Laughs! Masquerade Party, benefitting the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, the Alachua County branch of the NAACP and the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry.</p><p>The party will kick off at 9 p.m. at Cellar 12, 12 SE Second Ave., and last until midnight, according to a news release from the event organizers.</p><p>Admission is $50, with the festivities including valet parking, door prizes, music by Jazz Bandits, a contest with prizes for the best costumes, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.</p><p>For tickets or more information, visit the website masquerademerriment.org, call event organizers at 327-3400, visit the event's Facebook page or send an e-mail to masquerademerriment@gmail.com.</p><p><i>— Staff report</i></p>